Republicans’ tax reform chopping block includes an education-related provision that U.S. employers — large and small — say should be left untouched. The employer-provided education assistance provision in the tax code allows employees to get a tax break on tuition assistance offered by their employers worth up to $5,250. Advocates for the deduction have for years sought to expand it, but now are racing to defend it as tax reform legislation heads to conference. The House tax bill, H.R. 1 (115), would ax the provision.